Dear Sir

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 39, 15 January 1946, Page 4

Dear Sir

Letters to the Editor must be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a no ai-de-plume is used the name of the writer must be included for reference purposes. The Editor reserves the right to amend or withhold any letter or letters.

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS Sir,— Is it true that all the sisters (maternity and general) at the Whakatane Hospital have threatened to resign en masse as a result of wide-* spfead dissatisfaction regarding their' pay and the general control ? I have been informed that such is the case and that their resignation will take effect on January 21 unless a better ■-

state of affairs is introduced. As the town is full of rumours and as it affects the ratepayers and the public very vitally I am writing this letter to learn the true, position. Mr Editor, will you elucidate ?

I would like to point out that at the last election the majority of those elected were pledged to three points—o) Better supervision! medical and otherwise; (2) better methods of dealing with Maori patients and (3) to safeguard the ratepayers against any fresh capital expenditure. From what I gather not one of these, have been fulfilled. It is obvious that better supervision has not been enforced if what I now hear is correct, and by way of the second and third points the Board itself has definitely refused to co--operate with the County Council by refusing to supply figures for comparison in connection with the proposed amalgamation with Waikato.. Another rpucstiori, Mi’ Editor—ls it' a fact that owing to absolute negligence the steam boiler is now' almost but ol' commission and the Board is faced with a new expendi-. ture of £2300 which is necessary almost at once. From what I see the Board members seen fit to elect a chairman Wlio is evidently quite willing to perpetuate the bkl system as advocated by the previous chairman.

Yours etc. ENQUIRER.

SUCCESS OF LEPER APPEAL Sir,—The Lepers’ Trust Board wishes to express its heartfelt gratiture for the magnificent response made to the appeal for the lepers I in the South Pacific. The Christmas of many lonely souls has been made brighter and happier through this generosity.

In addition to goods the splendid’ stun of £18,500 has been received in cash and some of this money has already been allocated to assist the leper work being done in tile British South Solomons, the New Hebrides and New Caledonia by the Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist and Catholic Missions. During the coming year we hope to extend this work. My committee is grateful to your paper for the help received on many occasions during tlie year. Yours etc., P. J. TWOMEY.